Dishwasher

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher, which allows a washing course to be changed to a low-noise course in real time with a simple operation by using a user terminal while the dishwasher is running, and to a method for controlling a washing course of the dishwasher. The dishwasher, according to embodiments of the present invention, may comprise: an input unit that receives a course change signal commanding to change to a low-noise course having a noise level lower than a noise level of a washing course; a storage unit storing, as data, the speed of a washing motor of the low-noise course corresponding to each washing stage of the washing course; and a control unit that, when the course change signal is input, recognizes the washing stage of the washing course, changes to the speed of the washing motor of the low-noise course corresponding to the recognized washing stage, and controls the washing stage of the low-noise course.

1 . A dishwasher comprising:
 an input unit for receiving a course change signal instructing the dishwasher to change a washing course to a low noise-level course having a lower noise-level than a noise-level of the washing course;   storage for storing therein, as data, a rotation speed of a washing motor in each washing cycle of the low noise-level course corresponding to each washing cycle of the washing course; and   a controller configured to:
 upon receiving the course change signal, 
 recognize a washing cycle of the washing course; and 
 change a rotation speed of the washing motor in the recognized washing cycle of the washing course to a rotation speed of the washing motor in a washing cycle of the low noise-level course corresponding to the recognized washing cycle, thereby controlling the washing cycle of the low noise-level course. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein upon receiving the course change signal during a main washing cycle of the washing course, the controller is configured to:
 change a rotation speed of the washing motor to be lower than a rotation speed of the washing motor in the washing course such that the washing course is changed to the low noise-level course in a real-time manner at one of initial, middle, and end timings of the main washing cycle, thereby controlling the washing cycle of the low noise-level course.   
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein upon receiving the course change signal during a rinsing cycle of the washing course, the controller is configured to:
 change a rotation speed of the washing motor to be lower than a rotation speed of the washing motor in the washing course such that the washing course is changed to the low noise-level course in a real-time manner at one of initial, middle, and end timings of the rinsing cycle, thereby controlling the washing cycle of the low noise-level course.   
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein upon receiving the course change signal during a heating rinsing cycle of the washing course, the controller is configured to:
 change a rotation speed of the washing motor to be lower than a rotation speed of the washing motor in the washing course such that the washing course is changed to the low noise-level course in a real-time manner at one of initial, middle, and end timings of the heating rinsing cycle, thereby controlling the washing cycle of the low noise-level course.   
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein upon receiving the course change signal during a preliminary washing cycle of the washing course, the controller is configured to:
 change a rotation speed of the washing motor to be lower than a rotation speed of the washing motor in the washing course such that the washing course is changed to the low noise-level course in a real-time manner at one of initial, middle, and end timings of the preliminary washing cycle, thereby controlling the washing cycle of the low noise-level course.   
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 adjust a washing time duration of the low-noise course to be larger than a washing time duration of the washing course; or   adjust a washing water temperature of the low-noise course to be higher than a washing water temperature of the washing course, thereby controlling the washing cycle of the low noise-level course.   
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein when the recognized washing cycle is a preliminary washing cycle or a main washing cycle, the controller is configured to:
 at an initial time point of the preliminary washing cycle or the main washing cycle,   change a RPM of a washing motor corresponding to a lower nozzle (L) from 1800 to 2600 RPM of the washing course to 1620 RPM to 1980 RPM of the low level-noise course;   change a RPM of a washing motor corresponding to an upper nozzle (U) from 2500 to 2600 RPM of the washing course to 1530 RPM to 1870 rpm of the low level-noise course; and   change a RPM of a washing motor corresponding to a top nozzle (T) from 2200 RPM to 2500 RPM of the washing course to 1980 RPM to 2380 RPM of the low level-noise course, thereby controlling the washing cycle of the low level-noise course.   
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 at the initial time point of the preliminary washing cycle or the main washing cycle,   change a washing time duration from 50 seconds to 70 seconds of the washing course to 1240 seconds to 1510 seconds of the low noise-level course;   change a heated water-based washing time duration from 54 seconds to 66 seconds of the washing course to 1240 seconds to 1510 seconds of the low noise-level course; or   change a washing water temperature from 50° C. to 60° C. of the washing course to 57° C. to 70° C. of the low noise-level course, thereby controlling the washing cycle of the low level-noise course.   
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein when the recognized washing cycle is a rinsing cycle or a heating rinsing cycle, the controller is configured to:
 at an initial time point of the rinsing cycle or the heating rinsing cycle,   change a RPM of a washing motor corresponding to a lower nozzle (L) to 1620 RPM to 1980 RPM;   change a RPM of a washing motor corresponding to an upper nozzle (U) to 1530 RPM to 1870 RPM; and   change a RPM of a washing motor corresponding to a top nozzle (T) to 1980 RPM to 2380 RPM, thereby controlling the washing cycle of the low level-noise course.   
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 at an initial time point of the rinsing cycle or the heating rinsing cycle,   change a washing time duration from 50 seconds to 70 seconds of the washing course to 1240 seconds to 1510 seconds of the low noise-level course; or   change a connection relationship between a Vario valve and the upper, lower and top nozzles in the low noise-level course to be different from a connection relationship between the Vario valve and the upper, lower and top nozzles in the washing course, thereby controlling the washing cycle of the low noise-level course.   
     
     
         11 . A dishwasher comprising:
 an input unit for receiving a course change signal instructing the dishwasher to change a washing course to a low noise-level course having a lower noise-level than a noise-level of the washing course;   a function execution unit for executing a washing cycle according to the washing course or the low noise-level course; and   a controller configured to:   upon receiving the course change signal during execution of the washing course,   change a parameter of the washing course to a parameter of the low noise-level course; and   control the function execution unit to execute the washing cycle of the low noise-level course based on the parameter of the low noise-level course.   
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 11 , wherein the parameter of the low noise-level course includes a washing water spray pressure, a washing time duration, a washing water temperature, and a rotation speed of a washing motor,
 wherein the controller is configured to control the function execution unit to:   lower a washing water spray pressure of the low noise-level course to a washable lowest spray pressure;   adjust a washing time duration of the low noise-level course to be larger than a washing time duration of the washing course;   adjust a washing water temperature of the low noise-level course to be higher than a washing water temperature of the washing course; and   adjust a rotation speed of the washing motor of the low noise-level course to be lower than a rotation speed of the washing motor of the washing course, thereby executing the washing cycle of the low noise-level course.   
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 11 , wherein the washing cycle may include a preliminary washing cycle, a main washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, a heating rinsing cycle, and a drying cycle,
 wherein upon receiving the course change signal during execution of the main washing cycle, the controller is configured to:   change the parameter of the washing course to the parameter of the low noise-level course at the course change signal receiving timing;   control the function execution unit to execute the main washing cycle of the low noise-level course during a period from the course change signal receiving timing to an end timing of the main washing cycle based on the parameter of the low noise-level course; and   subsequently, control the function execution unit to further execute the main washing cycle of the low noise-level course for a first time duration allocated to the main washing cycle of the low noise-level course.   
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 13 , wherein upon receiving the course change signal during execution of the rinsing cycle, the controller is configured to:
 change the parameter of the washing course to the parameter of the low noise-level course at the course change signal receiving timing;   control the function execution unit to execute the rinsing cycle of the low noise-level course during a period from the course change signal receiving timing to an end timing of the rinsing cycle based on the parameter of the low noise-level course; and   subsequently, control the function execution unit to further execute the rinsing cycle of the low noise-level course for a second time duration allocated to the rinsing cycle of the low noise-level course.   
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher of  claim 13 , wherein upon receiving the course change signal during execution of the heating rinsing cycle, the controller is configured to:
 change the parameter of the washing course to the parameter of the low noise-level course at the course change signal receiving timing;   control the function execution unit to execute the heating rinsing cycle of the low noise-level course during a period from the course change signal receiving timing to an end timing of the heating rinsing cycle based on the parameter of the low noise-level course; and   subsequently, control the function execution unit to further execute the heating rinsing cycle of the low noise-level course for a third time duration allocated to the heating rinsing cycle of the low noise-level course.